Does Size Matter in Wildlife Photography?
“A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.
He said nothing until dinner was finished, then:
That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.
”
This is a quote that I heard recently and got me thinking about photographers and their gear. In particular, when it comes to wildlife photographers.
I am a photographer who mostly takes photos of wildlife. The lens I have is a 85mm. This means I do have to have a lot of patience with my subjects.
As if the bird or other kind of creature is in the middle of a lake, high in the trees, or in flight, my lens will likely produce photos that kind of look like an animal, but mostly resemble a blurred tiny wildlife mess with tons of blue sky. Or you may suspect that the photo was of a bunch of branches, not a bird at all.
I used to get lens envy. When I went to my local lake, there was a bunch of people who sauntered around with huge ass lens. Lens that most likely cost more than my car - and I would look down at my small little guy and hide it behind my back as they passed. When I think of this now, I laugh. I was being ridiculous of course. But this was when I first started out on my wildlife photography journey and I was intimidated by these people with their big lens and cameo wear.
Over the last couple, of years, I have learned that exploring wildlife photography with a portrait lens is very rewarding. For a number of reasons.
One.
It has allowed me to get to know my subjects very well. Last year, I spent hours upon hours upon hours with black swans. And because of this, they slowly began to trust me and consequently exhibit behaviour, such as courtship dances and bringing their cygnets closer to my presence without hissing and spitting up a storm.
I had a similar experience with an Australian Coot family who I visited everyday for a month. At the beginning of this interaction, when they saw me coming the parents would sound their alarm calls and the chicks would flee to the water and I would get stared down by an angry coot mum or dad. At the end of the month, the parents brought their chicks up to me. I remember this moment, because I felt a deep connection to these animals. To have them trust you is a real honour. And I wished to share that trust and connection with you guys.
Two.
I got to know my lens very well. Me and my 85mm are very well acquainted. I know those curves better than my own.
Three.
I had to get creative. Sometimes, birds and other wildlife do not trust you. Why should they really? You are this featherless flightless weird shape coming towards them with a strange device in your hands. It is natural really for them to flee. So. I had to get creative.
There have been times when I have left my camera on the ground and hid somewhere with my phone. And I have used this a remote trigger when the bird came near the camera. I have hid in trees. I have stayed in one spot for hours, until the bird thinks maybe I am a harmless statute and nears my position. This lens and kit is not a limitation. It has forced me to grow as a photographer - as I am constantly figuring out how can I either a) get this animal to trust me, or b) get this lens to work in my favour.
How I spend a lot of my time. Crouched by a lake.
I still get lens envy sometimes, but I try and rein it in. The camera does not make the photographer.
I think that photography, especially wildlife photography, can be intimidating to get into. People sometimes have misconceptions that you need a lens that cost a few grand to get into this field, but you do not. You simply need passion and curiosity about the wildlife around you. You need the drive to wake up at 5am venture out in the cold and dark, to set up and take photos of Crested Grebes performing a courtship dance, or drive or hitch or bus or fly 200 kilometres just to try and find a rare bird rumoured to haunt that area. Wildlife photography is not about who has the biggest lens, sturdiest tripod, or flashiest flash, it is about you as a person. The intent behind why you are wanting to take those photos in the first place. Without that - then you are just a person with a huge ass lens clicking expensive buttons. I believe that the viewer can tell if their is passion behind photos. I see photos and technically they are perfect. But, I do not feel a connection. I feel like I could see this animals stuffed in a museum, because they do not speak to me at all. They are static.
My photos are not technically correct at all. And I mean at all. Nor are they taken on gear that you would need to sell a kidney for. But, what I do have is my passion for wildlife. A passion that makes me put my alarm on for 430am, so I have time to walk to my favorite wildlife spots. To stay up late editing. To get to know birds and snails and hedgehogs and monkeys. I may invest in a new lens one day - after many months of saving and saving some more, but I am happy with the gear I have now and the experiences i get to have with this which i want to share with you.
We are capable of anything - do not let material items limit you.
Disclaimer: Do use common sense though when it comes to wildlife. It is not wise to go up close to an animal that may enjoy chomping on your flesh. Also, some countries have laws about approaching wildlife. For example here in New Zealand, you have to stay at least 20m away from seals. Just use your noggin folks - :)